ESPN sparked controversy by building a perfect World Cup 2026 team featuring stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé but excluding any Brazilian players. The absence of Brazilians raised questions about the team's recent performance, which has struggled to establish itself as a tournament favorite.

Why was the Brazilian national team ignored?

ESPN's decision reflects the difficulties Brazil has faced in recent months. With an inconsistent campaign, including a recent 2-1 loss to Norway (2026-07-05), the team has struggled to maintain its reputation as a football powerhouse. The inconsistent performance, with three wins, one draw, and one loss in the last five games (LWWWD), may have influenced the analysts' choice.

What are Brazil's current challenges?

In addition to recent results, the team faces tactical adaptation issues and injuries to key players. The next match against Australia (2026-09-25) will be crucial to prove that Brazil is still a force to be reckoned with. The team needs to show progress and cohesion to reverse the negative image created after being excluded from ESPN's dream team.

What's next for the national team?

With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Brazil has little time to recover. The team needs a solid performance against Australia and in other friendlies to regain the confidence of fans and analysts. The absence from ESPN's perfect team serves as a warning of the urgent need for improvements.